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Arsenal fans want club to sign Everton star after brilliant Monday display
Abdoulaye Doucoure was at the heart of Everton’s comeback win over Burnley on Monday. The French midfielder clocked up two assists for the Toffees as they cancelled out Ben Mee’s opener. Arsenal fans were watching on, and think Everton ace Doucoure would be a good addition.
A disappointing first half was a polar opposite to proceedings in the second 45. Mee headed Burnley in front, but Everton were rampant in their response. Andros Townsend provided the difference, curling a gorgeous cross to Michael Keane who scored the equaliser for Rafa Benitez’s men.
Doucoure then got his first assist of the night and while it was only a 15-yard pass to Townsend, it still demonstrated something Arsenal lack. Taking the ball in on the turn, he rolled a defender before finding Townsend. The England international drove forward and lashed a 25-yard effort home.
But Doucoure’s moment of magic came in the lead up to Everton’s third goal – a third of the season for Demarai Gray. Although Burnley’s defence was all over the place, Doucoure’s gorgeous pass found an on-rushing Gray. The England Under-21 star finished with aplomb, past Nick Pope.
Doucoure is quickly becoming an integral part of Benitez’s new-look Everton side. Sitting ahead of the likes of Andre Gomes and Allan, he is that dynamic, progressive midfielder that so many teams love to have. Especially Arsenal, who lack that dynamism in the middle of the park.
Why Everton ace Doucoure is just what Arsenal need…
Arsenal boast numerous options at the base of their midfield – despite losing Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Dani Ceballos in the summer. Granit Xhaka remained, while Thomas Partey was joined by Albert Sambi Lokonga. Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mo Elneny are also options.
But all are quite defensive. Lokonga can play at centre-back. Xhaka and Maitland-Niles have both been seen in defence and you rarely see Partey or Elneny bombing on into the attack. Emile Smith-Rowe and Martin Odegaard are excellent attacking midfielders, but they are already number 10’s.
The Gunners need a midfielder that can do both. Start off defensively, receive it from a holding midfielder and find the attackers – just as Doucoure did for both Townsend and Gray’s goals. He would cost a pretty penny, though, given Everton spent £20million () last summer.
But having brought in a right-back, Ben White in goal, a long-term replacement for Bernd Leno and option in attack – all Arsenal now need is a no.8. Doucoure is the ideal shape of a player that can fill that role. The question for Doucoure is, whether Arsenal is a step in the right direction.
Arsenal fans have reacted on Twitter to Doucoure’s performance for Everton – and the overriding feeling is that the Gunners need a player like the ex-Watford ace. Some believe he would be a good signing, while others simply praised his performance for Everton on Monday night.